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Blue Jays Avoid Arbitration, Resign Colby Rasmus

Colby Rasmus is getting a huge raise -- the Blue Jays' center fielder has avoided arbitration and agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.7 million contract.

The 25-year-old Rasmus hit .225 last year with 14 homers and 53 RBIs. He spent the season split between Toronto and St. Louis -- the Cardinals traded him in July after his controversial choice to be coached by his father rather than hitting instructor Mark McGwire.

Rasmus was the Cardinals' first-round pick in the 2005 amateur draft. He slugged 16 home runs as a rookie in 2009, then had a breakout season in 2010 with 23 homers and a .361 OBP.

Rasmus made $443,000 last year and filed for arbitration Friday. The Blue Jays dodge the bullet with Rasmus, but the club still has five players left who have filed for arbitration.